Tag Archives: suffering

His growth was unique. The Lord Jesus grew up before the eye of God. Here was one Servant Who was fully devoted to His Master. He was tender, and sensitive to His Master’s will. The callousness of the nation and the failure of previous servants did not hinder Him. Though men did not appreciate the beauty of that life, it must have been a continual feast for the heart of God to gaze upon it.

His grace was evident to all. He was a tender plant amidst thorns and weeds. He was a root out of a dry ground, life sustained by nothing around Him but by His communion with His God. He was life amidst death; He was beauty in a scene of ugliness. In His service, it was not only what He did, nor was it only how He did it; but every motive, every movement, every ministry was as perfect as it could possibly be. Every touch, tear, and tender act was calculated for God’s total glory and man’s richest blessing.

His guise is noted by the writer as well. He was unappreciated by those who looked only on the outward. There was nothing outwardly impressive or attractive physically about Him. He chose, by His own will, to avoid anything which might attract human beings to Him apart from the message and ministry He came to complete. His goal was not to gather men around Himself but, as the faithful Servant of Jehovah, to bring men to Him.

His grief is highlighted in these verses as well. He was spurned by men – despised and rejected. His life was marked by sorrows – a Man of Sorrow; He knew shame and scorn from all around.

What wondrous grace that the revelation has been given to us and, by grace, we have believed the report!

Consider:

1. Gather up some of the botanical imagery of the Lord Jesus Christ: Psalm 1, Ezekiel 34, Isaiah 53, Luke 23, and John 12.

2. There are four passages which speak of the Lord Jesus being despised: Isaiah 49:7; Ps 22:6; Ps 119:141; and here. Look at some of the reasons why men despised Him.

3. Creation is ascribed to the fingers and hand of God – Psalm 8:3. What is the implication then of the fact that it is the “arm of the Lord” which is involved in salvation?

My husband is a great fan of Sir Winston Churchill, a great leader,determined and inspiring. During World War 2 this great orator inspired the British people to push on even during great suffering and loss of lives. One quote was,” I have nothing to offer but blood,tears toil and sweat.” Post war he addressed college students with this; ” Never,Never, Never, give up”

This history lesson is given because it has inspired my posting for today. Recently,I have heard of many Christians who are going through severe trials and maybe you are one of them.

“Sicknesses, deaths, losses, disappointments, partings, separations, ingratitude, slander, all these are common things. We cannot get through life without them. Some day or other they find us out. The greater are our affections the deeper are our afflictions, and the more we love the more we have to weep.”J.C. Ryle

There are times you may even feel like giving up. My encouragement to you would be, “Never,Never,Never give up” even in the midst of, “blood tears toil and sweat” Contrary to the prosperity gospel , Paul says in 2 Timothy 3 “Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution”~ We must stop talking about what we SHALL face and discuss how do I persevere through all this. Hebrews 12:1-3 is like a glass of cold water to a dying thirsty man. The author likens our journey to a race. The athlete must: A) work hard B) keep his eyes focused on the prize. A) Work hard = Read, meditate and obey the Word of God as it is the laver that supplies daily sanctification. Psalm 119:9 “Confess our sin” (and remember) “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”1John 1:9 We must not constantly dwell on our sin we are forgiven and set free~ “run with endurance the race that is set before us” This race has been put before us by the Sovereign God, our Heavenly Father. B) Keep our eyes looking to Jesus, He supplies all our strength to persevere. You see verse 2 says He is the ~The Author(leader, pioneer,captain) of our faith ~The finisher( perfecter, carries us through to perfect completion) ~Our Lord and Savior is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He walked this road and suffered more than any of us. ~Remember the Gethsemane Garden, ” Not my will but thine be done” “sweating as it were great drops of blood” He did this ” for the joy set before Him.” Oh my suffering brothers and sisters He endured the cross the shame to reconcile us to God so we could become Sons, heirs and joint heirs with Him. And the glory which thou hast given me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we are one; (John 17:22 ASV) “He has brought me to his banquet hall, And his banner over me is love.” (S of S 2:4) ~Our Lord now reigns, “He has blessed us with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places with Him” Eph.1:3 ~Now in faith “consider Him” just let this sink deep into your heart. ~We must “Never,Never,Never give up!!! Our suffering is very small in comparison to our final glorification. ~“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10 ESV) ~“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been approved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12 ASV)

These are a few thoughts to encourage, if there are some reading this post and would like to add more to encourage, I would welcome your input.